Mod of the Month - May 2008

L3

There sure are a lot of great custom-built cases these days. Many people see it as the next frontier, being as so much of modding is now so mainstream. That's why it's always nice when we get to see a good, old-fashioned, hard-working and proper mod.

It's just that type of thing that Australian modder ModimusPrime is bringing to our table with his chopped up, souped up Lian Li V1000. The case, now dubbed L3 for Liquid Lian Li, features some great old-fashioned modding talent. After all, what fun is a huge, well-ventilated and very expensive case if you don't cut it apart, fill it with watercooling gear and slap some flames on it?!

We're pretty sure you'll agree - it just has to be done. And many of ModimusPrime's little twists are worth every bit of the limelight they get, because there's no such thing as too much of a good technique.

Flaaaames! And where better than the entire top of a Lian Li V1000? ModimusPrime started with a carefully created template and planned his flames to match the attractive curves of the case. The template was created from an AC Ryan triple radiator grille schematic, which he added to liberally. Though it initially had the front curve to it, that got the axe as he went for the more traditional straight design.

What good is a monster-sized case without a spot for a nice, beefy triple radiator? The hole formerly known as 'roof' says "No good at all!" ModimusPrime busted out the Dremel for some spark-flying fun. Of course, it helps if you get the right cutting disks, as he quickly discovered. If you ever wondered what the difference is between reinforced and the normal flimsy Dremel discs, you should probably read the log...

With the radiator holes cut, it was time to turn attention to the flaming fan grille. A piece of aluminium sheeting and a new Dremel routing table later, and ModimusPrime was ready to go with his crowning achievement.

The grille was finally done and a final test fit indicates that airflow is good while fans were still being well concealed. With that, it was time to move on to the inside, including cable management and covering like the PSU divider.

However, before ModimusPrime could really call the top a done deal, he decided to give it a handle that would fit with the case's unique styling. A sturdy piece of curved aluminium would make a perfect tool for the job.

Cases like these may be a dime a dozen on modding forums, but good mods like ModimusPrime's are pretty damn hard to find. There's a lot in his worklog that we didn't even get into...so if you like top-quality modding, you should definitely take a spin over and check it out.

And on your way, if you'd like to see this good old-fashioned Dremel creation take first place, make sure to swing by and vote for L3 by ModimusPrime as May's Mod of the Month!